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PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, May 7, 1991 -- 17 Local car dealers angry over so-called "gas guzzler' tax Car dealers in Port Perry are fuming mad over the NDP plan to tax so-called "gas guz- zling" cars and utility trucks. The dealers say that when this tax comes into effect in On- tario July 1, it will hurt sales at a time when the auto industry is still feeling the effects of the recession and such things as the federal GST. Dennis Anderson of Ander- son Chev Olds, Larry Taylor of Taylor Ford and Bryce Philp of Philp Pontiac all agree that this tax will do nothing to spur sales of new cars and utility trucks. And they told the Star in separate interviews last week they can't understand why the Ontario Government offered no warning to car makers or deal- ers associations that this tax Joud be in the budget of April "I think this (tax) is a real travesty, totally inconsistent," said Mr. Anderson. He said that in April, vehi- cle sales actually began to im- prove for the first time in many months. He said the tax will hurt sales and noted that just three days after the budget was an- nounced, a customer phoned to cancel an order on a vehicle that would have been subject to a tax of $1200. This gas guzzler tax ap- plies to numerous makes and models of new cars and trucks if they don't have a fuel consump- tion efficiency of about 33 miles per gallon (8.5 litres/100 km) The tax will range from a low of $200 on such vehicles as the GM Tracker and Ford Probe, to a high of $4400 on a GM Blazer or Jimmy 4X4 with a 5.7 litre engine and fuel rating of 15.5 litres/100 km. Mr. Taylor said he is espe- cially upset that the tax is ap- plied to models that are current- ly popular with consumers. For example, he cited the Explorer Sport Utility that has been a big seller, will be hit with $1200 more for the "gas guzz- ler" taxon July 1. And he said, the consumer will actually end up paying more because the federal GST will be calculated on top of the gas tax. "I really don't know what they are trying to do to this country," he said. Both Mr. Anderson and Mr. Philp noted that there seems to be a lack of consistency on which models will be hit with the tax. For example, the popular Buick Regal with a 3.81. engine will be hit with $200, but the Buick Park Avenue with the same engine is exempt. And Mr. Anderson said the Chev Lumina with 3.4 1 engine will cost $200 more becauserof {he tax, but the Oldsmobile 983" noton the list. Mr. Anderson agreed that $200 more in taxes probably is not enough to "make or break" a deal on a new car or truck. But $700, $1200 or $2400 is "enough to make some potential customers walk away. All three dealers said the auto industry just doesn't need any more "negatives" to cope with. And as Mr. Philp noted, the customer buying a new vehicle after July 1 will pay five differ- ent taxes: the PST, GST, air cond. tax, tire tax and gas guzz- ler tax. : Mr. Philp, a past president of the GM dealers assoc. in this area said he expects the associ- ations and the auto companies themselves will be lobbying the NDP government hard over the ° next few weeks to have this tax thrown out. General Motors (Canada) has already issued a statement condemning the "gas guzzler" tax. And the statement notes that GM has improved fuel con- sumption by 130 per cent since the late 1970's. The company wonders how the Government could classify a vehicle that gets 30 mpg (high- way) as a gas guzzler and thus subject to the tax. Dennis Anderson in front of the Chev Lumina, a fast selling model made in Oshawa. FORDER-PARKS INSURANCE BROKERS INC. 34 Water St., Port Perry, Ont. LOL 1J2 985-8411 "PERSONAL ATTENTION TO ALL OF YOUR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 9% 9%% ANNUAL RATES Guaranteed Investment Certificates Best Rates we have Available at Our Office ... 3 YEAR 9% % (Rates Subject to Change Without Notice) 4 YEAR 9% % 5 YEAR 994% MOTHER'S DAY -by- PHOENIX Personal Service and Quality Built Holiday in Your Own Backyard SALES - INSTALLATION - RENOVATIONS - OPENINGS LINER REPLACEMENTS - SERVICE - CLOSINGS a1) 985-3288 Spring Box 1065, Seagrave, Ont. LOC 1G0 Specials Above Ground Specials TOP QUALITY 24' ROUND $1995. plus taxes ind. 1 h.p. Pump & Filter The Quilters Cupboard & ANNUAL SPRING SALE Thurs., May 9th to yat, May 18th 25% off BROADCLOTH 15-80% off COTTON PRINTS Half Price off v..p. PANELS 15% off coTTON SoLIDS The Quilter's Cupboard SANDY HOOK RD., R.R.2, UXBRIDGE 11/2 km. north of corners of Brock & Main Sts. (416) 852-3617 Shop Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM